MDMA-Based Psychotherapy in Treatment-Resistant Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): A Brief Narrative Overview of Current Evidence
Kainat Riaz,
Sejal Suneel,
Mohammad Hamza Bin Abdul Malik,
Tooba Kashif,
Irfan Ullah,
Abdul Waris,
Marco Di Nicola,
Marianna Mazza,
Gabriele Sani,
Giovanni Martinotti,
Domenico De Berardis
Affiliations
Kainat Riaz
Dow Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi 75700, Pakistan
Sejal Suneel
Dow Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi 75700, Pakistan
Mohammad Hamza Bin Abdul Malik
Services Institute of Medical Sciences, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
Tooba Kashif
Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi 75510, Pakistan
Irfan Ullah
Kabir Medical College, Gandhara University, Peshawar 25120, Pakistan
Abdul Waris
Kabir Medical College, Gandhara University, Peshawar 25120, Pakistan
Marco Di Nicola
Department of Geriatrics, Neuroscience and Orthopedics, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
Marianna Mazza
Department of Geriatrics, Neuroscience and Orthopedics, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
Gabriele Sani
Department of Geriatrics, Neuroscience and Orthopedics, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
Giovanni Martinotti
Department of Neurosciences, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, University G. D’Annunzio, 66100 Chieti-Pescara, Italy
Domenico De Berardis
Department of Psychiatry, Azienda Sanitaria Locale 4, 64100 Teramo, Italy
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating mental health disorder that causes significant dysfunction in individuals. Currently, there are many approved pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy treatment options for PTSD, but unfortunately, half of the patients do not respond to traditional therapies. In this article, we review clinical trials and research on 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy in PTSD patients, its pharmacokinetics, and current treatment guidelines for PTSD. Our findings are based on the results of the efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy from six phase II randomized controlled trials. MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD has received the “breakthrough therapy” designation from the FDA. MDMA can reduce PTSD symptoms even in treatment-resistant cases by increasing certain neurohormones, i.e., dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and oxytocin. It also modulates activities in the brain regions involved in fear and anxiety. Future research is needed to show whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages and whether its use can be integrated into available treatment options for PTSD.
